New Country = New Me | Public Talk by Ladies Who Talk

Huge thanks to our partners:
Mellow — a global payment platform for companies and freelancers. https://tinyurl.com/3645wkyu
Lighthouse Consulting – business & finance guidance in Portugal – founded by Raquel Batista. https://lighthouseconsulting.pt/

Speakers:
Irina Shurmina — Founder of Ladies Who Talk, former lawyer
Alexandra Borges — Leadership & Change Coach, former manager at Google & YouTube
Elena Dmitrieva — Co-founder of Wave Coffee Roasters, former M&A lawyer
Elisabetta Burgio — Health & Lifestyle Coach, former corporate manager
Mayya Shal — Influencer & Videographer, former corporate lawyer

About Ladies Who Talk: www.ladieswhotalk.com

19/11/2025

Time codes:
00:36 Introduction of Ladies who Talk Community
(Overview of the community, events, app features, and networking benefits.)

03:47 Mellow: Partner Introduction
(Support for freelancers/contractors, legal work solutions, and QR codes.)

07:15 Lighthouse Consulting: Partner Introduction
(Legal & cultural business services for Portugal; immersion event announcement.)

10:29 Discussion: Changing Careers & Speaker Introductions
(Honest stories of international moves, career shifts, and personal backgrounds.)

30:35 Importance of Recognizing Pivotal Moments
(Personal stories about career change triggers and transitional challenges.)

45:40 Overcoming Challenges
(Fear of judgment, imposter syndrome, loss of identity, and practical strategies.)

01:12:45 Financial Instability in Career Transitions
(Discussion of financial uncertainty, budgeting, partner support, and income steps.)

01:35:00 Taking Calculated Risks
(Reflection on mindset shifts, sabbaticals, and embracing discomfort.)

01:40:00 Legal and Business Setup in Portugal
(Advice on tax consultants, platforms for international freelancing, and business structures.)

01:45:26 Experiences of Solo Entrepreneurship
(Managing multitasking, agency over choices, advantages, and community building.)

02:00:00 Q&A Session
(Addressing solo transitions, sabbatical advice, gratitude for failures, audience questions.)

02:15:00 Closing Remarks
(Emphasis on honest discussion, community support, and inspiration for change.)